MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER
Well, the day we were not looking forward to had finally dawned. We were awake surprisingly early, which considering how badly we slept was surprising. We felt exhausted though......it was almost as if our bodies had reached the pinnacle of their abilities and had now resigned from any further exhausting activities!!! Yes, we felt old.
We very quietly and almost with resignation got ready and made sure the last of our things were packed.......then we thought, oh leave it, we need breakfast. We were two of only a few this morning in the Club Lounge......it was nice and quiet........which was good as we had plenty of time to talk to some our favourite members of staff that we knew so well. Breakfast was almost an afterthought as we said our goodbyes to them one at a time.........one of our favourites who have known for a good few years now was Thomas......such a nice guy with a wicked sense of humour.......we really enjoyed his company and chatted to him about many things.......I would be sad to say goodbye to him and Anthony. As we already had a picture of Anthony, I wanted one with Thomas today..........
Such a nice guy. Most of them are in there as I said, such nice people and we would miss them a lot.....although we do exchange emails so that's nice. We finally said our goodbyes and after many hugs we left the lounge and headed back to our room.......well, Tom headed back to our room and I went to mac`s room to say our goodbyes.
Tom had thought we may like to chat in private for a bit, he sent his best wishes to her though. We chatted for a bit then although we both felt emotional we didn't cry........I think I was just so tired I was numb at this moment......but if one of us had cried the other one would have set off too........definitely!!!! We would call as usual, and once I was home my email would be back working and we would be back to normal. But, we said our goodbyes and I left.
Back in the room, we really did finish off packing........then we weighed our cases and hand luggage........oh dear......we were well over the allowance, well, a fair bit anyway.......we would just have to pay whatever they asked and smile while doing so.........
We looked out the window and could see the preparations in place to begin removing the plane from the lagoon area........I was glad it was still there when we left as it really is synonymous with RP. We knew it was being moved this week but it hadn't been announced yet where it is going.
By now it was time to leave for the airport......well, we were a bit early, but we like to get there in plenty of time to get car hire returned and have something to eat before heading through security. Said goodbye to a few people on the way was tough as always, and as we walked out the doors for the final time....I welled up big time........huge big droplets running down my face......poor Tom.......I was ok really, just sad it was over for another year. We got the car and got it loaded up and headed off down Universal Boulevard for the journey that takes around 20-25 minutes.
I have shown this picture before, but I am quite proud of it as I took it from the car while it was moving........almost perfect!!!
We were so glad to have done the Wheel this year, as we had seen it going up from scratch.......it`s well worth doing. SeaWorld thing and Tussauds is not for us so we didn't do them, but it`s such a nice area and once Sugar Factory is open.......we`ll definitely be back down there!!!!
Didn't take long and we were at the airport. Such a depressing journey!!!! I adore airports.......full of excitement and anticipation on the way out.......on the way home...not so much. And today was no different. We pulled into the car drop off area and pulled forward. The girl came forward and scanned the barcode and handed us a receipt for what should be zero.......nothing.......zilch.......nothing is ever easy though.......we had a charge of $138!!!!! He immediately wandered off and we yelled at him to come back......what is the charge for we asked him.......in broken English.....he spoke it quite clearly a second ago.....he said Fuel!!! We pay in advance for first tank of gas, extra driver and that`s it.......we had a charge to fight on our arrival and here we were again.......he said he would get someone.....few minutes later another guy appeared who could at least converse with us.....he said it was for fuel also....Tom very patiently explained we owed then nothing. He rather smugly asked for our agreement......as if by magic Tom pulled it out......guys face fell.......Tom asked if he could see we owed nothing......he grudgingly agreed we were right.
5 minutes later and rather officious looking woman appeared who said we had to go over to the main terminal for our refund. So we followed this very obviously annoyed supervisor who told us to wait there at the desk. And we waited....she had wandered to the other end of the desks.....after 20 minutes Tom went down and asked what the problem was.....she said she wasn't convinced the agreement was right!!!!! Tom almost erupted.........but didn't want arrested.......so he asked for another supervisor......with that she slammed a receipt down and said we owed nothing, it had indeed been refunded to our card.......we were furious. This happens most years and I imagine they get away with it at times. To add insult to injury she told us then it was a brand new system that had gone in last week.....Tom said to her when we arrived we were told it was a new system......last year we were told the same thing!! She just walked away at that point. Hate the whole car hire debacle.
Now we headed up to drop our bags at check in.......we were about half an hour early and there was already about 15 people in the queue, so we just stood. When it was our time I was nervous they would tell us we had to dump some of our stuff.......but, he never even flinched when they went on the scales, and never bothered with out hand luggage....phew!!!!
We went straight through to the food court, bathroom visit and lunch. We both got pepperoni pizza and then some strawberry ice cream and just sat and people watch for a while.......the fish tank in the middle was getting cleaned and there was a diver in full gear doing it, so he was attracting a lot of attention.........eventually we decided to bite the bullet and go through to gate.
I like this airport...........
Going through security is never fun.......sometimes they tell you shoes off, ipads out......other times no, you don't have to......but some of them get annoyed and can be abrupt if you seemingly don't know what to do. Today was a bit like that.......they seemed annoyed with everyone. But we got through and then collected our belongings as we both went through the extra scan today........
I never usually take pictures once we are here as I`m usually a bit fed up, but I did today.........just a couple.......
And we were off. This truly is the most depressing journey.......albeit very short one.
When we get to the gates we head to Duty Free and pick up some Ciroc Vodka, Giant JD and some Rum......girl asks if we are aware of our limits......we say yes we are........I add a bottle of Chanel just because..........then we go down to wait at the gate.....
We buy some water and some muffins for breakfast in case the offerings are not great......wise decision.....and a few other nibbly bits. We really didn't wait that long before they start boarding.....as we have the exit row seats again, we are more or less last. But we get in and get our bags stowed above us. We love these seats and have them reserved for next year again......you have so much room. On the way out we didn't have the exit chute but it didn't affect me at all, in fact I used it to lean my legs on.....didn't get into trouble either!!
They really are good seats to get.
We take off about 20 mins late which wasnt bad and it`s nice to take off in daylight hours........again, this always gets me a little sad when we take off, but I was just so tired I just looked out the window and watch Orlando and all it has to offer disappear into the distance.
Flight is uneventful and I don't even bother with movies, I`m going to try and sleep. But just before it started to get dark......
It looked prettier at the time!!! We had a pretty decent meal, chicken for me and Beef for Tom.......had two glasses of wine which were very nice.
We both visited the bathroom......then settled down with my vividly purple eye mask and noise cancelling headphones and tried to sleep. Managed maybe a couple of hours and Tom did too.
We arrived 5.30am UK time, so not a bad flight time of just over 7.5 hours......we had a good jet stream behind us this year. Get off plane quickly and head to passport check again.......we were more or less first there as we were at the exits......two minutes and we are through to wait for baggage........yes, ours was last off again. You begin to worry at that point that someone has taken yours by mistake.....but eventually they appear and we collect them and head through customs.
We stop in at a café and have our first decent cup of tea in 3 weeks......along with bacon and sausage roll.......perfect!!!! 2 minutes takes us a short walk back the Radisson through the skywalk to pick up our car........no issues here and we here, eventually have to walk outside into the British weather. It`s not warm. We have felt it worse coming home actually, but a short walk and we find the car, check it over and set off.........
I managed to stay awake whole journey home this year......we got delayed by road works......nothing unusual there......but eventually around 11am we get home and hug the life out of my son!!! Bless him.......we did miss him, and he did miss us too.......and the whole house was immaculate......he has always been good at doing his own room since he was young.....but the whole place was gleaming.....he had cup of tea ready for us and we sat and chatted for a bit before we collapsed into our bed. We slept till mid afternoon and forced ourselves to get up, shower and try and stay awake till at least 10.30 tonight.
We hugged Kyle some more, unpacked and sorted out everything we had brought back.......had an Indian meal delivered and we did stay up till 11pm, hoping this would help keep jetlag at bay. It was kinda nice to be home. But my mind was already thinking ahead for next year.........
Next year is all sorted, we arranged hotel before we left, just had to tweak the definite dates when we got them, flights, Radisson for night before flight and car hire are sorted now too. That`s the amount of our planning.
So folks, that`s 2015 trip report over again for another year.
Highlights are vast.......just a few here......
Meeting friends, old and new. I include staff in this too as some really are like family to us now. Meeting mac finally, and meeting other old faces......sadly missed on seeing Metro West this year........I think communications were amiss...having no email sucks!!!
HHN.....amazing event......never disappoints and is so much fun. We never saw any foul behaviour at all this year, just people having a lot of fun. I hope it stays this way as we adored this event over many nights. This was definitely the best HHN for years, apart from Michael Myers last year of course.......but so much fun!!!! The calibre of TM`s as SA is truly stupendous.....they create something very special every night and we loved every night we went.
Parks.......truly amazing!!! Absorbing everything they have to offer should never be rushed.........I have never understood people who say TM are not as friendly as the other place......well, we have only ever encountered friendly and helpful staff who cannot do enough for you.....never saw a sour faced one either. Rides are fun and Potter is immersive as ever. So much to look forward to for next year with Kong and other stuff being built.
Weather.......was wonderful......in the 90s most days...perfect for us, we loved it!! Only had one morning of bad rain really, and I was at the dentist so it was fine.
Food..........what can I say.......10lbs heavier..........Linda, when you read this.......I don`t know how that happened!!!! LOL.......we ate in many lovely places, and a couple of new ones that are on our every year list now......Ocean Prime and Oceanaire Seafood for sure, and a few others that have been recommended to us.
RPR........again, what can I say I havent already said. We are honestly treated like royalty when we stay here.......we are very blessed and we love every second we are there. Staff are truly wonderful and we are lucky to have been looked after by so many of them.
Lows.........coming home. That`s it. Not having Kyle with us was definitely different but although we missed having him there, we still had the most amazing time.........
I hope you have enjoyed reading and thank you for the lovely comments along the way......it`s been a bit dragged out....really shouldn't take this long to do a trip report, but I do tend to babble on a bit at times.......
Thanks again for reading.........